USA (Transatlantic Today) – The largest COVID-19 summer wave to hit the US in at least two years is presently underway. It is expected that in January 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will release a study stating that the present levels of viral activity are the greatest since public data recording began. According to CDC wastewater data as of August 3, the virus activity level is 9.01, which is getting close to the peak level of 9.28 noted in July 2022.
While infections are growing, the increase in emergency room visits, hospitalizations and deaths is less pronounced. At the end of July, the CDC reported about four Covid hospitalizations per 100,000 people, down from a low of one per 100,000 in May.
SARS-CoV-2 is detectable in 100% of wastewater samples nationwide, indicating a significant surge in cases, asserted dr. Marlene Wolfe, from Emory University. However, wastewater data does not directly translate to exact case numbers due to variations in water flow and viral shedding.
New Variants and Waning Immunity Fuel Surge
According to CNN, the increase in cases is traced to diminishing immunity and the emergence of new variants. As schools reopen, the potential for further spread is high. The peak and duration of the current surge remain uncertain.
Delayed Availability of Updated Vaccines
The surge happened before to the new Covid-19 vaccinations being made accessible, which is anticipated to happen shortly. The new vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax are expected to be available by late September, although they have not yet received FDA approval.
In the interim, medical specialists advise being vaccinated as soon as the new shots are made available. It is recommended that individuals in crowded interior spaces wear N95 or KN95 masks. Keeping antiviral medications like Paxlovid and Covid-19 tests on hand can also aid in symptom and risk management
